The Terrain Is Everything; The Germ Is

It Is Impossible To Devise An Experiment Without A Preconceived Idea; Devising An Experiment, We Said, Is Putting A Question; We Never Conceive A Question Without An Idea Which Invites An Answer. I Consider It, Therefore, An Absolute Principle That Experiments Must Always Be Devised In View Of A Preconceived Idea, No Matter If The Idea Be Not Very Clear Nor Very Well Defined.

Priestley [said] That Each Discovery We Make Shows Us Many Others That Should Be Made.

A Discovery Is Generally An Unforeseen Relation Not Included In Theory.

The Joy Of Discovery Is Certainly The Liveliest That The Mind Of Man Can Ever Feel.

[those] Who Have An Excessive Faith In Their Theories Or In Their Ideas Are Not Only Poorly Disposed To Make Discoveries, But They Also Make Very Poor Observations.